Prelude to Conflict: Asia, September 15

The main topic in the press, though strange: China vs the Environment. Hong Kong’s democracy movement progresses, their opposition (mostly professors and members of government) also get louder. The US even piped in, stating that they were likely to endorse Taiwan’s pro-Beijing controlling KMT party. While the US is most likely trying to say whatever makes Beijing happy, the KMT became extremely unpopular during August and early September with scandals becoming public. US statements about the elections in Taiwan would likely enrage the Taiwanese public, leading voters of both Hong Kong and Taiwan to view all three governments being against them. While China was considered viz the environment, the people in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines (the volatile zone) are being pitted against all the governments’ controlling parties, US included. This could add a new dynamic to the swelling conflict.

…This would not be any change at all in the US position of constantly supporting the KMT, publically anyway. On the surface, the US would be biding time, supporting the party that Beijing loves and would delay conflict with China. This would make the US seem peace-friendly.

…But the controlling party has the same ugly old website, with no mention about their event to get votes. Instead, most of the many, many posts this last week address scandals that happened under their watch, along with issues relating to their unpopular relationship with mainland China.